Stop it’s not an option

I'd been keeping my old sailboat, Noah, docked at Sines Marina ever since I sailed solo from Lisbon back in 2018. Sines is pretty cool A small fishing settlement where Vasco da Gama, that famous Portuguese explorer, was born. It’s also the only decent natural harbor you'll find between Lisbon and the Algarve, offering a safe haven. Plus, it was way more affordable than the marinas in Lisbon, which is why I decided in 2018 that it would be the ideal starting point for my sailing adventures in the Atlantic.

About six months later I had my stroke…. Fortunatly she is a sturdy boat and was safely moored in Sines Harbor waiting for my return. I spent almost 20 months away but I was finally back to enjoy Noah.

I was lucky that I had a job I genuinely enjoyed, a fantastic circle of supportive friends, and, naturally, my dear family. The moment I could walk again without the wheelchair, I was eager to get back to my job, hop on my motorbikes, and, of course, be out on my cherished boat. However, I quickly discovered that sailing Noah was a lot tougher with my new limitations; even getting onto her was a real struggle. But I did not let the challenge demoralise me, everything is therapy, it's all about getting back to normal. If I do not try I will never know if I can do it or not. following this “mantra” in a way, was a tool for me to recover and show my injured brain how to rewire itself . Anyway just being near the ocean really perked me up. Every time I come to stay in Noah, it was a little bit easier. However, I quickly realized Noah needed some serious upgrades so I could sail her again. As part of my daily walks along the marina pontoons and docks, I was always paying attention to other boats that might have solutions I could adapt to make my life easier on Noah. The first upgrade was instaling second hand self tailing winches, The original ones in Noah where standart and required two hands to operate . I felt great about being able to complete the installation all by myself.while walking on the boatyard to see some swim platform examples I saw the most beautiful thing, It was love at first sight. Belle a Moody 41 Classic with a blue hull and the most elegant lines I ever saw in a sailboat. She had all the items on my wish list and even more I could wish for

I was constantly looking at other boats in the marina to see if there was anything I could change for Noah to make my life easier and make her more cooperative. The first change was second hand self tailing winches, The original ones in Noah wher standart and required two hands to operate . I felt great about being able to complete the installation all by myself. My next project for her was a swim platform. Getting back aboard after a swim was a real struggle. But while walking on the boatyard to see some swim platform examples I saw the most beautiful thing, It was love at first sight. Belle a Moody 41 Classic with a blue hull